Threading the Needle

It’s called “threading the needle” in football. It means throwing the football through a gap between opposing players that’s just big enough for the football to fit through. Although this quarterback may not realize it, “threading the needle” depends on physics.

The Back Story

Besides just “threading the needle,” the quarterback has to make sure the ball reaches the receiver, or the player who will catch it. It’s a complicated problem.

The quarterback has to release the ball at just the right speed and in exactly the right direction to get it where it needs to go. And if he’s running at the same time, his own speed and direction have to be factored in.